April 16, 2018 (Agua Dulce, Calif.): Yokohama Tire continues to make a huge contribution to the rich history of racing on the Baja California Peninsula. Yokohama’s Super Digger III Tire has been a favorite of buggy racers since it appeared in the early 1980’s. Still popular today, it will be joined this year by a newly launched line of GEOLANDAR truck tires that were designed to stand up to the same Baja terrain. Not only will Yokohama be the title sponsor of the 2018 NORRA Mexican 1000, but it will also be showcasing the new GEOLANDAR M/T tire on the truck of the winningest team at NORRA; the 1968 Ford Bronco named Caballo Del Diablo, or Devil’s Horse in English. Driven by owner Boyd Jaynes and Brian Godfrey, it has won the NORRA Mexican 1000 5 times; including 3 in a row.

“With the addition of Yokohama as our title sponsor, we not only have access to great tires, but we add a partner with vision and heritage,” says Jaynes. “Their lineage in motorsports is irrefutable, and their past accomplishments in offroad racing tremendous. We are honored to represent them at the 2018 Yokohama NORRA Mexican 1000. We can’t wait to use the GEOLANDAR M/T tires to get the power to the dirt for all 1369 miles of the rally.”

"We know you’ll want a set of the M/T G003 tires on your rig as soon as possible, regardless of whether it’s a mall crawler or a rock crawler." - OffRoad.com

Known as “The Happiest Race On Earth!” the now YOKOHAMA NORRA Mexican 1000 is entirely about having fun and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Competitors experience the most stunningly beautiful Baja scenery as they make their way down the entire length of the Baja Peninsula without the incredible stress and lack of sleep associated with a typical peninsula run. After each day of racing, there is enough free time to experience a different location in Baja with your friends and family. Each overnight stop has its own unique charm and character. There is no better way to experience Baja than at the Mexican 1000. “NORRA is a great way to get more involved in Baja racing,” says Yokohama’s Paul Algarin. “We are happy to sponsor the event and wanted to showcase the new GEOLANDAR on a winning truck. Boyd, and Brian are a great team to work with; always up for a good time and great competitors.”

Bob Lawrence (above) has raced both the Baja 1000 and the Mint 400 this year on YOKOHAMA Super Digger III's and will now put them through the paces at the YOKOHAMA NORRA Mexican 1000

Yokohama is very pleased to be a part of the resurgence in Baja racing that the NORRA Mexican 1000 has brought about. The new GEOLANDAR tires represent the latest in light truck tire technology, but Yokohama is also supporting the vintage race cars in the field. Robert Lawrence’s vintage 1970's era Chenowth will be running the venerable Super Digger III’s. Robert’s vintage single seat race car may seem primitive by today’s standards but is not lacking when it comes to tire performance. During offroad testing with several UTV racing teams, the Super Digger III has shown to work amazingly with their cars. The tire that was designed decades ago is still performing exceptionally on the latest racing platform that is exploding in popularity.

Beginning in 2010, the National Off Road Racing Association (NORRA) began promoting a rebirth of the NORRA Mexican 1000 rally. The unique off-road rally was co-created by promoter Mike Pearlman to consist of special stages (unlimited speed timed stages in the dirt) linked together by controlled speed liaison / transit sections (highway). The one-of-a-kind, once-a-year, four-day rally includes vintage off-road vehicles and motorcycles, as well as modern desert Rally Raid cars, pre-runner trucks, buggies and motorcycles.

Pearlman's late father Ed and others established the first running of the NORRA Mexican 1000 off-road rally in November of 1967, which eventually became internationally recognized and evolved into the Baja 1000 in the mid-1970's.